Introduction

Patients with metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) or unstable spinal lesions warrant early surgical consultation. In multiple myeloma, chemotherapy and radiotherapy have the potential to decompress the spinal canal effectively in the presence of epidural lesions. Mechanical stability conferred by bracing may potentiate intraosseous and extraosseous bone formation, thus increasing spinal stability. This study aims to review the role of non-operative management in myeloma patients with a high degree of spinal instability, in a specialist tertiary centre.

Aims

Intraoperative 3D navigation (ION) allows high accuracy to be achieved in spinal surgery, but poor workflow has prevented its widespread uptake. The technical demands on ION when used in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) are higher than for other more established indications. Lean principles have been applied to industry and to health care with good effects. While ensuring optimal accuracy of instrumentation and safety, the implementation of ION and its associated productivity was evaluated in this study for AIS surgery in order to enhance the workflow of this technique. The aim was to optimize the use of ION by the application of lean principles in AIS surgery.

To assess implant performance, to evaluate fusion and to assess clinical and radiologic outcome of circumferential fusion using porous tantalum cages for ALIF in a 360-degree fusion.

A retrospective cohort study was performed over a 4-year period that included the implantation of 280 tantalum cages in 98 patients by the technique of anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) and posterolateral spondylodesis. Radiographic follow-up was performed to document any implant related problems. Preoperative and postoperative clinical outcome measures were assessed.

No neurological, vascular or visceral injuries were reported. There were no rod breakages and no symptomatic non-unions. One revision procedure was performed for fracture. Mean VAS back pain score in our patient cohort improved from 7.5 preoperatively to 1.9 at latest follow-up, mean VAS leg pain score improved from 6.2 to 1.1 and mean ODI score improved from 51.1 to 18.3.

Porous tantalum cages have high strength and flexibility, in addition to having similar biomaterial properties to cancellous bone. Their use in 360-degree spondylodesis to treat degenerative lumbar spine deformity has been demonstrated to be very safe and effective, with excellent clinical and functional outcomes.

To evaluate the incidence of complications and the radiographic and clinical outcomes from 2-stage reconstruction including 3-column osteotomy for revision adult spinal deformity.

A prospective cohort study performed over 2 years at a major tertiary referral centre for adult spinal deformity surgery. All consecutive patients requiring 2-stage corrective surgery for revision adult spinal deformity were included. Radiographic parameters and clinical outcome measures were collected preoperatively and at 6 weeks, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years postoperatively. Radiographic parameters analysed included pelvic incidence, pelvic tilt, sacral slope, lumbar lordosis, thoracic kyphosis and sagittal vertical axis. Clinical outcome measures collected included EQ-5D, ODI, SRS 22 and VAS Pain Scores.

Performing anterior column reconstruction followed by 3-column osteotomy and extension of instrumentation for revision spinal deformity resulted an excellent correction of sagittal alignment, minimal surgical complications and significant improvements in HRQOL. Restoration of lumbar lordosis, pelvic tilt and sagittal vertical axis were observed in addition to postoperative improvements in EQ-5D, ODI, SRS 22 and VAS Pain Scores at follow-up.

Performing anterior column reconstruction prior to a 3-column osteotomy minimises complications associated with 3-column osteotomy and extension of posterior instrumentation. We propose a treatment algorithm for safe and effective treatment in revision adult deformity surgery.

To evaluate the differences between spinopelvic parameters before and after sagittal malalignment correction and to assess the relationship between these radiologic parameters and clinical outcome scores.

A prospective cohort study was performed over a 2-year period at a major tertiary referral centre for adult spinal deformity surgery. All consecutive patients requiring 2-stage corrective surgery were included (n=32). Radiographic parameters and clinical outcome measures were collected preoperatively and at 6 weeks, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years postoperatively. Radiographic parameters analysed included pelvic incidence, pelvic tilt, sacral slope, lumbar lordosis, thoracic kyphosis and sagittal vertical axis. Clinical outcome measures collected included EQ-5D, ODI, SRS 22 and VAS Pain Scores.

Correction of sagittal malalignment was associated with significant improvements in HRQOL. Restoration of lumbar lordosis, pelvic tilt and sagittal vertical axis correlated with postoperative improvements in EQ-5D, ODI, SRS 22 and VAS Pain Scores at follow-up.

This study demonstrates that the magnitude of sagittal plane correction correlates with the degree of clinical improvements in HRQOL. This further underlines the need for spinal surgeons to target complete sagittal plane deformity correction if they wish to achieve the highest rates of HRQOL benefit in patients with marked sagittal malalignment.

This study assesses whether balloon kyphoplasty (BKP) can safely restore height and correct deformity for cancer-related vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) involving the posterior vertebral body wall (PVBW), which is normally considered a relative contraindication.

Retrospective cohort study of 158 patients (99M:59F; mean age 63 years) with 228 cancer-related VCFs, who underwent BKP. 112 had VCFs with PVBW defects, and 46 had VCFs with no PVBW defect. Data was assessed preoperatively and at 3 months.

In the PVBW defect group, mean pain score decreased from 7.5 to 3.6 (p<0.001). There was a significant decrease in kyphotic angle (p<0.01), anterior vertebral body height (AVBH) (p<0.01) and mid-vertebral body height (MVBH) (p<0.05). In the PVBW intact group, mean pain score decreased from 7.3 to 3.3 (p<0.001). There was a significant improvement in AVBH and MVBH (p<0.001). When comparing groups, kyphotic angle, AVBH and MVBH were significantly worse in the PVBW defect group (P<0.05). More cement leaks occurred in the PVBW defect group.

BKP can alleviate pain but does not restore height or correct kyphosis in patients with cancer-related VCFs and PVBW defects. There is no appreciable increase in surgical risk.

To describe a staged surgical technique to correct significant progressive sagittal malalignment, without the need for 3-column osteotomy, in patients with prior long thoracolumbar instrumentation for scoliosis and to evaluate the radiographic and clinical outcome from this surgical strategy.

A small cohort study (n=6) of patients with significant sagittal malalignment following extensive thoracolumbar instrumented fusions for scoliotic deformity. Radiographic parameters analysed included pelvic incidence, pelvic tilt, sacral slope, lumbar lordosis, thoracic kyphosis and sagittal vertical axis. Clinical outcome measures collected included EQ-5D, ODI, SRS 22 and VAS Pain Scores.

3 patients had 2-stage anterior release and instrumented fusion followed by a posterior instrumented fusion 3 patients with a large sagittal plane deformity had a 3-stage surgical technique. All patients achieved an excellent correction of sagittal alignment, with no surgical complications and excellent health related quality of life (HRQOL) outcome measures at follow-up. There was no symptomatic non-unions or implant failures including rod breakages.

We present a safe and effective surgical strategy to treat the complex problem of progressive sagittal malalignment in the previously instrumented adult deformity patient, avoiding the need for 3-column osteotomies in the lumbar spine.